I see both sides to this and have dealt with elitist dealers who demand full retail while talking down to you. I have given them second and even third chances... going back into their showroom while considering a new component.
Now... if they treat me poorly after I have given them a second chance I do not feel the smallest bit remorseful buying it elsewhere after auditioning it during their second chance opportunity.
These dealers are living in the 90's and need to understand that full retail is a tough pill to swallow, so they had better make MY buying experience orgasmic, otherwise I don't have much sympathy for them.
I don't expect them to price match someone who is slinging gear out of their garage with a website, but I also don't appreciate the derision and outrage they display when I ask them if they are negotiable off retail.
At this point, I'm done with them and haven't set foot in their store in over 5 years. I watch them struggle to keep their doors open, yet they are still a "retail only" shop. In this environment I don't expect them to be around much longer and it's their own fault quite frankly. I know what they pay for their products and I know what the margins are. At this point it's either pride or greed or a poorly run business - that keeps them trying to get full retail for their wares.
Guess what, 20 years ago I was billing at MUCH higher rates than I am now - but environments change and you either adapt or disappear. For some reason the typical high-end B&M feels they should be immune to this phenomenon. They aren't. Period.
Now... if they treat me poorly after I have given them a second chance I do not feel the smallest bit remorseful buying it elsewhere after auditioning it during their second chance opportunity.
These dealers are living in the 90's and need to understand that full retail is a tough pill to swallow, so they had better make MY buying experience orgasmic, otherwise I don't have much sympathy for them.
I don't expect them to price match someone who is slinging gear out of their garage with a website, but I also don't appreciate the derision and outrage they display when I ask them if they are negotiable off retail.
At this point, I'm done with them and haven't set foot in their store in over 5 years. I watch them struggle to keep their doors open, yet they are still a "retail only" shop. In this environment I don't expect them to be around much longer and it's their own fault quite frankly. I know what they pay for their products and I know what the margins are. At this point it's either pride or greed or a poorly run business - that keeps them trying to get full retail for their wares.
Guess what, 20 years ago I was billing at MUCH higher rates than I am now - but environments change and you either adapt or disappear. For some reason the typical high-end B&M feels they should be immune to this phenomenon. They aren't. Period.